#castersugar

Mauritius: It’s history and the history of sugar cultivation in the island nation

Mauritius is a small island nation located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. The island was first discovered by the Arabs in the 9th century and was later colonised by the Dutch, French, and British. Today, Mauritius is known for its beautiful beaches, rich cultural heritage, and delicious sugar. Sugarcane was introduced to the island by the Dutch in the 17th century, and it quickly became the island’s main crop. The French, who colonized Mauritius in the 18th century, further developed the sugar industry and established sugar plantations throughout the island. The British took control of Mauritius in 1810, and under their rule, the sugar industry continued to thrive.

Fun fact: Sugar cultivation on the Mauritian mainland was introduced by Dutchman Adriaan van der Stel in the late 17th century. Even today his name is taken with reverence. He is considered to be the ‘opperhoofd’ (headman) of the Mauritian sugar industry. He is said to have brought with him sugar plants from the island of Java, which was a Dutch colony at the time. 

Why is Mauritian sugar considered to be among the best in the world?

Here are five reasons why Mauritian sugar is considered to be among  the best in the world:

Rich soil and favourable climate: Mauritius’ volcanic soil and tropical climate provide the perfect conditions for growing sugar cane. The soil is rich in nutrients and minerals, and the climate is warm and humid, which helps the sugar cane to grow quickly. 

Traditional cultivation methods: Mauritian sugar cane is still grown using traditional cultivation methods, such as hand-cutting the sugar cane and using oxen to plow the fields. This results in a higher quality sugar, as the sugar cane is handled with care throughout the production process.

High-quality varieties of sugarcane: Mauritius is home to several high-quality varieties of sugarcane, such as the “Mauritius Yellow” and “Mauritius Red” varieties. These varieties have a high sucrose content and produce very high-quality sugar

Modern production techniques: While traditional cultivation methods are still used, modern production techniques are also employed to ensure the highest quality sugar. This includes using state-of-the-art machinery to extract the juice from the sugar cane and refining the sugar using advanced techniques.

Strict quality control standards: Mauritian sugar is subject to strict quality control standards, which ensures that only the highest quality sugar is produced. The sugar is tested for purity, color, and moisture content to ensure that it meets the strict standards set by the Mauritius Sugar Syndicate.

The Pirouette Range of Mauritian Sugar

The Pirouette range of Mauritian sugar is a premium selection of sugars that are carefully crafted using traditional methods combined with modern production techniques. These sugars are made from the highest quality sugar canes and are subject to strict quality control standards, resulting in a unique and distinct flavor profile. The range includes products such as Demerara Sugar, Dark, Light and Extra Light Muscovado Sugar, Unrefined Fine Caster Sugar , and Truly Unrefined Brown Sugar, all of which are perfect for baking, cooking, and sweetening your favorite drinks. If you want to add a touch of Mauritian flavor to your cooking or baking, the Pirouette range of sugars is definitely worth a try. You can now buy this amazing, gourmet product in India, exclusively through Chenab Gourmet.